Paint bucket holder for extension ladders



Jan. 18, 1966 L. H. OLSON 3,229,943

PAINT BUCKET HOLDER FOR EXTENSION LADDERS Filed Nov. 9, '1964 INVENTOR. La whence 0/900 WDIEYS. 'w

United States Patent 3,229,943 PAINT BUCKET HOLDER FOR EXTENSION LADDERS Lawrence H. Olson, Silver Lake, Kans. Filed Nov. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 409,665 8 Claims. (Cl. 248-210) This invention relates to bucket retaining and supporting structure, and more particularly, to a holder for a paint bucket for use with a generally upright, inclined extension ladder.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a paint bucket holder for use with an extension ladder wherein the holder is rugged in construction, economical to produce, can be positioned on a ladder at a location convenient to the user without interfering with the stance of the user on the ladder, and which is capable of being readily moved into any one of a number of operative positions along the ladder, all to the end that the bucket holder provides an improved structure for eliminating the cumbersome means which have heretofore been used to accomplish this purpose.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a bucket holder of the type described which utilizes the weight of a bucket thereon to hold the same in place on a ladder, whereby the construction of the holder is simplified inasmuch as additional fastening devices are not required to maintain the same in place on a ladder.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of a bucket holder of the aforesaid character having a bucket-supporting platform which can be pivoted through a relatively wide range of angles, whereby the platform can be adjusted as the inclination of a ladder associated therewith is changed so as to prevent the tipping of a bucket on the platform.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the bucket holder in an operative position on an extension ladder;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bucket holder on the ladder;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but looking in the opposite direction, parts of the holder being broken away to illustrate details of construction; and

FIG.'4 is a top plan view of the holder removed from the ladder.

The present invention provides a paint bucket holder for an extension ladder and includes a rigid panel secured at the normally uppermost edge thereof by a pair of hinges to the underside of a bucket-supporting platform to permit movement of the ladder about a generally horizontal axis when the panel is in an operative position on the side of an extension ladder. A link pivotally secured at one end thereof to the underside of the platform in spaced relationship to the hinges extends downwardly from the platform and is disposed adjacent to the proximal face of the panel. A screw carried by the panel extends through an elongated slot in the lower end of the link and a nut releasably secures the link to the screw, and thereby the panel to maintain the platform horizontal.

A channel at one side of the panel is normally fitted over a side rail of an extension ladder, and a strap hav ing projections at the ends thereof is secured to and extends along the outer longitudinal edge of the channel. The lower projection on the strap cooperates with a lower, inclined edge of the channel to present a rungreceiving notch. The upper projection merely engages a rung when the adjacent lower rung is received within the notch. The platform is disposed'with respect-to the notch such that the weight of the bucket on the plat- 3,229,943 Patented Jan. 18, .1966

ice

rung and maintains the bucket holder in place. This feature of the bucket holder eliminates the need for additional fastening structure.

Bucket holder 10 includes a generally rigid support member or panel 12 having a normally uppermost edge 14 to which a pair of spaced hinges 16 are secured. The underside of a bucket-supporting platform 18 is also secured to hinges 16 to permit pivotal movement of platform 18 about a generally horizontal axis when panel 12 is in an inclined, operative position described hereinafter.

The configuration of platform 18 is shown in FIG. 4; however, it is to be understood that platform 18 may be of any configuration. However, it is to be preferred that hinges 16 engage the underside of platform 18 within the periphery thereof so that the major portion of platform 18 overlies at least the central area of panel 12 when the latter is in the inclined, operative position thereof shown in FIG. 3. A continuous rim 20 is secured to and extends upwardly from the periphery of platform 18 to prevent the lateral movement of a bucket 22 off platform 18. v

A link 24 is pivotally secured by a hinge 26 to the underside of platform 18 in spaced relationship to hinges 16. Link 24 extends downwardly and has a section 28 angularly disposed relative to the major portion thereof which extends downwardly from platform 18. Section 28 is normally in juxtaposition with the proximal face of panel 12 and has a longitudinally extending slot 30 therein which receives a screw 32 carried by and extending outwardly from panel 12. A wing nut 34 carried on the outer end of screw 32 is engageable with section 28 to clamp the latter against panel 12 to releasably maintain platform 18 in a fixed disposition relative to panel 12. a An elongated, transversely C-shaped' channel 36 is rigid to and extends along one side of panel 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. For purposes of illustration, channel 36 is shown as being integral with panel 12, but it is to be understood that these two components could initially be separate and subsequently rigidly interconnected in any suitable manner. Channel 36 is substantially equal to the length of the corresponding side of panel 12 and has anouter, longitudinally extending side wall 38 provided with a lower, outer edge segment 40 which is inclined with respect to the major portion of the outer, longitudinal edge of side wall 38.

A longitudinally extending flange 42 is integral with the aforesaid major portion of the outer, longitudinal edge of side wall 38 to which a strap 44 is securedby bolt means 46. Strap 44 extends longitudinally with flange 42 and has a normally upper, arcuate projection 48 extending outwardly from the proximal extremity of channel 36 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Strap 44 also has a lower, straight projection 50 which is disposed at an angle with'respect to the longitudinal axis of strap 44 and is adjacent to segment 40. Projection 50 converges with respect to segment 40 as flange 42 is approached to present, with segment 40, a notch 52 at the lower extremity of channel 36. It is to be noted that the distance between projection 48 and notch 52 is substantially equal to the distance between a pair of adl a size and configuration to be disposed over one of the form biases the upper projection against the proximal rails 58 and is movable therealong when channel 36 is tilted slightly so that flange 42 does not engage a rung 54 so as to prevent movement of channel 36 with respect to, ladder 56. l

- In use, ladder 56 is initially placed in its operative, nor- 3 mally inclined disposition such that rungs 54 are vertically spaced and rails 58 are inclined with respect to the vertical. Holder is mounted on ladder 56 by first carrying holder 10 to the proper height on ladder 56 and lowering holder '10 so that the proximal runk 54 is received within notch 52, and the lower portion of channel 36 is disposed over the proximal rail 58.

The rung 54 in notch 52 engages segment 40 and, projection 50 to permit forward pivotal movement of channel 36 and thereby panel 12, until projection 48 engages rungs 54. For purposes of illustration, projection 48 complementally engages the proximal rung 54, although it is understood that this construction of projection 48 is unnecessary. As projection 48 moves toward the proximal rung 54 the remaining portion of channel 36 moves onto rail 58 so that, when projection 48 engages the proximal rung 54, channel 36 is disposed on rail 58 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Thus, platform 18 can be adjusted so that it is horizontal. To accomplish this, wing nut 34 is moved away from section 28 to permit the latter to move with respect to panel 12 until platform 18 has assumed a horizontal disposition. Thereupon, Wing nut 34 is moved toward and in frictional engagement with section 28 to clamp the latter to panel 12 thus releasably mantaining platform 18 in a fixed position with respect thereto. Holder 10 is then ready to support bucket 22.

The angular disposition of platform 18 with respect to panel 12 can be changed by manipulating wing nut 34 and moving section 28 until platform 18 is once again horizontal. is on platform 18 if the change in the inclination of ladder 56 is small and there would be no tipping of the contents of bucket 22 as a result.

When bucket 22 is on platform 18, the line of action of the weight of the bucket and its contents will, by virtue of the specific placement of platform 18 on panel 12, extend downwardly at least between the pair of adjacent This can be accomplished while a bucket 22 rungs 54 to which holder 10 is coupled. The weight of A bucket 22 and its contents will, therefore, bias holder 10 in a counterclockwise direction when viewing FIG. 2 so that projection 48 will be biased toward the proximal rung 54. This feature of holder 10 obviates additional structure for fastening holder 10 to ladder 56. Moreover, holder 10 is constructed so that the weight of a bucket and its contents on platform 18 will always be forwardly of the lower rung 54 for all normal operative positions of ladder 56.

' Holder 10 can be used to support any kind of object which can be placed on platform 18 and is not to be limited to the use of paint buckets alone. Platform 18 could conceivably be used to support tools, cleaning materials, brushes, and other articles which are presently carried on the person or which must be supported by conventional methods on an extension ladder.

Channel 36 mounts panel 12 so that the latter projects to the side of the corresponding rail 58. In this location, panel 12 supports platform 18 so that a workman on ladder 56 may conveniently use bucket 22 or other articles on platform 18 without having to move his body in order to have access to the materials on platform 18.

As illustrated, holder 10 is constructedfor use by a righthanded workman; however, it is understood that holder 10 could also be constructed sothat thesame is disposed on the left-hand side of ladder 56. In this respect, channel 36 would be secured to the oppositeside of panel 12 and the outer side wall of channel 36 would have flange 42 and strap 44 thereon. Means could be provided to change channel 36 from one side of the panel to the other, and strap 44 could be constructed to provide securing means for holder 10 regardless of which side channel 36 was on.

The width of channel 36 can be different from that shown to accommodate holder 10 for ladders having rails of another thickness, such as aluminum ladders now available.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A bucket holder for use with an extension ladder having a pair of spaced rails and a number of spaced rungs interconnecting the rails, said holder comprising:

a rigid panel having a normally upper edge and a side edge extending from said upper edge;

a bucket-supporting platform;

hinge means interconnecting the upper edge of said panel with the underside of said platform to permit pivotal movement of the latter about a generally horizontal axis when said panel is in an operative position;

structure releasably interconnecting said underside of the platform and said panel at respective locations thereon spaced from said hinge means;

means coupled to and extending along said side edge of the panel and adapted to be carried by one of the.

rails ofsaid ladder for mounting the panel in an operative position on said one rail; and means at each end of said mounting means respectively for coupling the same to a proximal rung when the mounting means is carried by said one rail to thereby prevent movement of said panel relative to said ladder.

2. A bucket holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said structure includes a linkpivotally coupled at one end thereof to said underside of the platform and a fastener releasably securing the opposite end of the link to said 1 panel.

3. A bucket holder as set forth in claim 2, wherein said link is provided with a slot therein adjacent to said opposite end thereof, said fastener including a screw carried by said panel and extending into said slot, and a nut carried on said screw and engageable with said link.

4. A bucket holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a channel adapted for receiving said one rail and being movable therealong.

5. A bucket holder as set forth in claim 4, wherein said channel is normally disposed in an inclined disposition when said panel is in said operative position and being provided with a lower side edge segment angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the channel, the coupling means corresponding to the lower end of the channel including a first projection secured to and extending outwardly from said channel and defining with said lower edge segment thereof a rung-receiving notch,

the coupling means corresponding to the upper end of.

the channel including a second projection normally engaging the proximal rung when the adjacent lower rung is received within said notch.

6. A bucket holder as set forthin claim 5, wherein said lower end of said channel is adjacent to the lower extremity of said panel, the major portion of said platform being in overlying relationship to said panel, whereby the weight of a bucket supported by said platform will bias the second projection toward its proximal rung to maintain said panel in its operative position.

7. A bucket holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform is provided with a continuous, peripheral rim extending upwardly therefrom.

8. A bucket holder for use with a normally inclined ladder having a pair of spaced rails and a number of spaced rungs interconnecting the rails, said holder comprising:

a rigid panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, a pair of opposed side edges, and a pair of opposed faces; a bucket-supporting platform having a continuous rim extending upwardly from the periphery thereof; hinge means interconnecting the underside of the platform to the upper edge of the panel for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis when the panel is in an inclined, operative position;

a link pivotally secured at one end to said underside in spaced relationship to said hinge means and extending downwardly from the platform, the opposite end of the link having a section in juxtaposition to the proximal face of the panel, said section having a longitudinally extending slot therein;

a screw carried by said panel and extending outwardly therefrom and through the slot in said section, whereby said section may be moved relative to said panel through a distance defined by the extremities of said slot to permit pivotal movement of said platform relative to said panel;

a nut threadably mounted on said screw and being engageable with said section to releasably clamp the latter to said panel and thereby releasably maintain said platform in a fixed disposition relative to said panel;

a channel rigidly secured to and extending along one of the sides of said panel and adapted to be disposed on one of the rails of said ladder, said channel having an outer side Wall provided with an outer, longitudinal edge, there being an edge segment at the lower extremity of said outer, longitudinal edge, said edge segment being angularly disposed relative to the major portion of said outer, longitudinal edge;

a flange rigid to, projecting laterally from and extending along said outer, longitudinal edge; and

a strap releasably secured to said flange and having an upper, rung-engaging projection and a lower, rungengaging projection thereon, said lower run-engaging projection being angularly disposed relative to and extending outwardly from the lower end of said flange, said lower projection and said segment being convergent as said lower end of the flange is approached to present a rung-receiving notch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,072 6/1915 Sherwood 248-210 1,193,964 8/1916 Alpen 248-210 1,221,658 4/1917 Berry 248-210 1,243,732 10/1917 Goss et al 248-210 X 1,597,095 8/ 1926 Martinsexi 248-210 X 1,972,064 8/ 1934 Moushon 248-210 2,439,185 4/1948 Patt 248-210 X 3,052,442 9/1962 Rankin 248-210 3,103,334 9/1963 Thorns 248-338 3,104,859 9/1963 Hoelzel 248-210 3,125,317 3/1964 Law 248-210 FOREIGN PATENTS 653,256 12/ 1962 Canada.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BUCKET HOLDER FOR USE WITH AN EXTENSION LADDER HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED RAILS AND A NUMBER OF SPACED RUNGS INTERCONNECTING THE RAILS, SAID HOLDER COMPRISING: A RIGID PANEL HAVING A NORMALLY UPPER EDGE AND A SIDE EDGE EXTENDING FROM SAID UPPER EDGE; A BUCKET-SUPPORTING PLATFORM; HINGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID PANEL WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID PLATFORM TO PERMIT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE LATTER ABOUT A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS WHEN SAID PANEL IS IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION, STRUCTURE RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID UNDERSIDE OF THE PLATFORM AND SAID PANEL AT RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS THEREON SPACED FROM SAID HINGE MEANS; MEANS COUPLED TO AN EXTENDING ALONG SAID SIDE EDGE OF THE PANEL AND ADAPTED TO BE CARRIED BY ONE OF THE RAILS OF SAID LADDER FOR MOUNTING THE PANEL IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION ON SAID ONE RAIL; AND MEANS AT EACH END OF SAID MOUNTING MEANS RESPECTIVELY FOR COUPLING THE SAME TO A PROXIMAL RUNG WHEN THE MOUNTING MEANS IS CARRIED BY SAID ONE RAIL TO THEREBY PREVENT MOVEMENT OF SAID PANEL RELATIVE TO SAID LADDER. 